The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-06-02

serving today a more cruel and tyran-
nical master than ever raised the lash
over the black sons of Africa?
It is not my prerogative here today
to say aught against the use that IS
made of this voluptuous product. The
man who chews and spits and smokes
and pufs, enjoys it as he does few
other of Gods good creatures. Be-
sides, we need men in this country,
and we need them badly, and there is
nothing that raises boys to manhood
so quickly, and gives them such vast
proportions In appearance and import
ance, as does the cigar or cigarette,
when a IL or 10 year old boy is ap-
pended to one end, and touches a
match to the other.
We must have men by some means,
though, really, I would prefer to grow
them slowly, according to the old plan.
I said in the outset, that if we would
be prosperous, we must give special
attention to many crops. l venture
the assertion that there is not a coun-
try on the globe where may be grown
a greater variety of products, to a
greater degree of perfection, than a
be done right here in old Guilford
county.
When we think of the rich, black,
loamy soils of the Northwest and
West, we are apt to conclude that this
is not a grain and grass-growing
country. Yet within a stones throw
of the incorporate limits of this city,
may today be e acres, covered with
a sward of sweet nutritious grass, so
luxuriant that even the most fastidious
farmer of Virginia or Kentucky, or
any other State, would be proud to
see such upon his own distinguished
lands. Ours has never been consid-
cred a wheat-growing country, and
yet upon Guilford soil today may be
seen fields of the golden grain that are
far above the average of any country.
When we think Of the millions of bar
rels of Irish potatoes that are annually
shipped from Maine and Vermont and
New York, and many other Northern
and New England States, we conclude
that the Irish potato is not a crop
worthy Of special attention here. Yet
my old friend who came from the
"Father Land" and settled within
three miles of this city, upon a little
poor farm, that had never known
aught but poverty and starvation, has
for many years, from his own little
farm, furnished the citizens of Green's
boro with as fine tables as ever came
to your depot in barrels. And if any
of you will now visit that once poverty
stricken place, you will see it all
radiant with thrift and plenty and
comfort. AS for sweet potatoes, this
is almost the home of that indispens-
able root. 1t can be produced here in
our soil in unlimited quantities, at a
cost of from 5 to 10 cents per bushel;
yet it readily commands from SO cts.
to $l.00 per bushel. have no doubt
but there are many tables in this city,
upon which will be served today, Gus
tards and buildings and slice pies made
from sweet potatoes grown in Gull
ford soil and cultivated by your
humble speaker. The farmer in this
country that does not have sweet po-
tatoes for his table, from potato har-
vest till potato grabbing, is wilfully
denying himself and family a great
luxury, and is guilty of inexcusable
neglect of duty. We sit wrapped in
the mantle of our poverty and indo-
lence, and hear or read of the extern
sive orchards of the North, of the
wonderful orange groves Of Florida,
Of the world-renowned vineyards of
California, of the broad acres of grass
and grain Of the West, and we grumble
and complain and wonder why a cruel
Providence has given us existence in
such a poverty-stricken country as
this. Yet we can, and are producing
as fine glossy cherries, as large and
luscious peaches, as slightly and we'll
favored apples, as choice clusters of
sweet juicy grapes, and a vast host of
other excellent fruits, as any country.
If | were to say one word about these
blazing dishes of delicious strawberries
that are so t%emptingly arranged here
before us, your mouths would begin
to drip, and l should have to stop in
the midst Of my talk, and all hands
partake of a general repast.
The man who only raises one special
crop, to-buy all the comforts and sup
plies he needs, must deny himself all
these ~luxuries, he must wear ragged